King of Morocco, His Majesty Amir al-Mu’minin

King Mohammed VI is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his family has ruled Morocco for close to 400 years. He is also constitutionally the Amir al-Mu’minin, or Commander of the Faithful, thereby combining religious and political authority. King Mohammed VI is lauded for his domestic reform policies and pioneering efforts in modernizing Morocco and countering terrorism. He tackles issues of poverty, vulnerability and social exclusion at home, and has improved foreign relations. King Mohammed VI influences the network of Muslims following the Maliki school of Islamic jurisprudence, and is a leading monarch in Africa.

Four-Hundred Year Alaouite Dynasty: The 400 year-old Alaouite dynasty traces its lineage back to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It takes its name from Moulay Ali Cherif, who became Prince of Tafilalt in 1631. It sees itself as a continuation of the Andalusian Golden Age of Islam, which was characterised by peaceful co-existence, intellectual and cultural exchange and development.

Influence on Maliki Network: Morocco is home to the oldest university in the world, Al- Karaouine. This university is the centre of the Maliki school of jurisprudence. Since early in his reign, King Mohammed VI has implemented the Mudawana family law code that gives rights to women in divorce and property ownership, as well as citizenship to children born from non-Moroccan fathers. He has also commissioned the Islamic Affairs Ministry to train women preachers, or Morchidat, who are now active chaplains to Moroccans across the globe.

Huge Influence over Muslims in Africa: King Mohammed VI leads the largest African monarchy, with a population of 32 million. Besides political links, Morocco maintains strong spiritual ties with Muslims all over Africa. Morocco is the site of the tomb of a highly revered Sufi sheikh, Mawlana Ahmed ibn Mohammed Tijani al-Hassani-Maghribi (1735-1815 CE), the founder of the Tijaniyya Sufi order, whose shrine attracts millions from across the continent. Morocco is also recognized as a source for the spread of Islam through West Africa.

The Marrakesh Declaration: The King invited hundreds of the Islamic world’s leading scholars to gather for a 3-day summit in Marrakesh in January 2016 to address the question of the treatment of religious minorities in Muslim-majority communities. Basing themselves on the Charter of Medina, also known as the Constitution of Medina, which was drawn up by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself, they issued calls for majority-Muslim communities to respect minorities’ “freedom of movement, property ownership, mutual solidarity and defence.”. HM King Mohammed VI of Morocco delivered the inaugural address and pointed to the history of Islam’s co-existence with other religions. This showed how Islam has enshrined the rights of religious minorities, and promoted religious tolerance and diversity.

Support for Jerusalem (Al-Quds): The King and indeed all Moroccans show strong support for Palestinians and for Jerusalem. The Moroccan link with Jerusalem has been strong since Salah al-Din’s son endowed the Magharbeh Quarter, next to the Buraq Wall, to North African pilgrims in 1193. This 800 year old quarter was demolished by the Israeli authorities in 1967 after they captured East Jerusalem.

Reform: King Mohammed VI has implemented major reforms in response to the Arab Spring protests. These have included a new constitution which has transferred many powers to a freely and fairly elected government. The gradual reforms of the King have been hailed as a model for other Arab countries to follow.

385The number of years since the founding of the Alouite dynasty, when its founder, Moulay Ali Cherif, became Prince of Tafilalt in 1631.

98.5 %The percentage of citizens who voted for the recommended changes to the constitution that King Mohammed proposed in July 2011, which reduced his powers as king.

By Associated Press,. WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is planning to host the king of Morocco at the White House later this month. The White House says King Mohammed plans to visit Nov. 22. More from PostPolitics ...

On Friday, November 22, President Obama will host King Mohammed VI of Morocco at the White House. This visit will highlight the long-standing friendship between the United States and Morocco and strengthen our strategic partnership. The President looks ...

King Mohammed VI. Ever since he ascended the throne in 1999, his Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, has nursed one persistent ambition: to transform Casablanca, the Kingdom's largest city and economic center, into Africa's leading financial hub.and more »

Algiers — President of the Republic, Secretary General of the Polisario Front, Mr. Mohamed Abdelaziz, said Thursday that the content of the Moroccan king Mohamed VI's speech, delivered on Wednesday, denotes "the blind obstinacy and the Moroccan ...and more »

This phone call was prompted by a letter from King Mohammed VI to the US President on April 12, 2013, in which he underlined the importance of the Western Sahara issue to the Kingdom of Morocco, and the risks raised by any alteration in the mandate of ...and more »

RABAT - King Mohammed VI stressed that Moroccans were ready to make all sacrifices for the sake of their territorial integrity amid hopeless attempts by Morocco's foes to undermine its reputation and sovereignty during a speech to mark the 38th ...

Moroccan King Mohammed VI told reporters late Wednesday that his country did not "need lessons from anybody" on its human rights record particularly in the annexed Western Sahara, according to Agence France-Presse. Speaking at an event ...

Mohamed VI's trip to Washington on Nov. 22 will provide an occasion for him to talk, well, of Africa. In his consultations with Barack Obama, the Moroccan king will propose setting up a free trade zone that will include -in addition to Morocco - all of ...and more »

The Moroccan-USA strategic dialogue is described by several American diplomats as recognition of Morocco as a major regional pillar, under the leadership of the Moroccan King Mohammed VI who has endeavored to reinforce and diversify the ...

By the grace of the Almighty, Morocco has made substantial progress. Our vision is clear and our institutions are strong, thanks to the powers they have under the rule of law.

To rise to current and future challenges, we need to have full confidence in ourselves and to believe firmly that, notwithstanding the difficulties and the constraints, our future lies in our hands.

Our religion is one of moderation, openness and clemency. It calls for peace, co-existence, friendship and the protection of human rights bestowed on humans by God, human rights which have been approved by international conventions, and which Morocco was in the forefront of signing.

If Morocco belongs the Arab and Islamic worlds, its geographical position at the top of the continent of Africa, overlooking Europe from the north and America from the west, obliges us to pursue the policy of our blessed father - characterised by openness and dialogue - by strengthening relations with our African brothers and links with our European and American friends for the benefit of our region and the whole world, within the framework of compromise, respect and the endeavour to establish security and peace.

We all aim to achieve reconciliation and co-operation by overcoming the negative aspects of the present and looking forward to the future, on the basis of our rich common history, our civilisation and culture and our true religion.

We all have an obligation... to display higher levels of mobilisation, vigilance, foresight and entrepreneurship, in a joint effort to bring Morocco in line with developed countries.

To rise to current and future challenges, we need to have full confidence in ourselves and to believe firmly that, notwithstanding the difficulties and the constraints, our future lies in our hands. « View more quotes

385The number of years since the founding of the Alouite dynasty, when its founder, Moulay Ali Cherif, became Prince of Tafilalt in 1631.

98.5 %The percentage of citizens who voted for the recommended changes to the constitution that King Mohammed proposed in July 2011, which reduced his powers as king.